Impacted by a basketball camp experience he had at age 11, Golden State Warriors power forward James Michael McAdoo pledged to do the same for other unfortunate children some day. That time has come. In June McAdoo led a four day camp, “One Died for All,” in Kenya for 10-18 year olds. Part of the program introduced the kids to basketball basics such as dribbling, shooting and ball handling. “Beside these, I am here to introduce them to our Lord Jesus Christ and to strengthen their faith…without Jesus I wouldn’t have reached the heights I have done in my basketball career,” he said. Click here to read more.

On his way to being the greatest quarterback in Los Angeles Chargers history, Philip Rivers credits Jesus as “the center of my life.” The devout Catholic was born and raised in a small town in Northern Alabama where he attended Sunday mass with his family and served as an altar boy. But it was when he left for college that he took full ownership of his faith, putting the same time and commitment into it — and his marriage — that he does to his football game. While Philips is sad to leave San Diego, he believes that the team’s move to Los Angeles is part of God’s plan. His personal mission is to help others grow in their faith and he is open to letting God work through him whether it is on the football field, in the home where he and his wife are raising 8 children, or anywhere else God places him. Click here to read more.

Shooting hoops and saving souls is the purpose of Pass The Rock, a non-profit faith ministry that combines basketball with Christian beliefs to equip, engage and empower teens who are spending time in jail. Since it’s start in 2014 the team of 20 volunteers has made more than 150 jail visits which include a 40 minute basketball game followed by a 10 minute spiritual and life message. “You never know how God will move in the prison and who he will move,” said Erik Olson, Founder of Pass The Rock. According to 17 year old Rashod Liggan, who spent five months in Union County Detention Center, “It gave me a second shot at life; it gave me hope.” Liggan and other teens who have been through the program now attend Hillsong NYC Church where Olson continues to guide them. “The game of basketball is just a hook to introduce them to a much more meaningful life,” said Olson. Click here to read more.

Losing the State Wrestling championship match has to hurt but instead of retreating to lick his wounds, St. Paul Minnesota Sophomore Malik Stewart walked over to his opponent Mitchell McKee’s dying father and offered a healing hug. It wasn’t something he planned to do but “it just came straight from my heart,” revealed Stewart who lost his own Dad to a heart attack when he was seven years old. Mitchell McKee wanted to win the title for his father, who only has months to live and thought Malik’s gesture after losing was “really respectful.” The two will likely meet again over the next couple of years and Malik is focused on winning but says “when you go out there, you want to win but if you don’t win you have to be a good sport and be polite.” Click here to read more.

Resigned to walk to a gas station, gas can in tow, DJ/music producer Ron Reeser was surprised when a passerby offered him a ride. The two struck up a conversation in which he discovered that the driver played football — in fact he was quarterback Derek Carr of the Oakland Raiders. More of their exchange, though, focused on faith as Carr shared his deep commitment to religion and expressed a desire to be a pastor one day. Before they parted ways, Carr prayed with Reese. The experience left a lasting impression on the DJ who even hinted at switching his allegiance from the Niners to the Raiders. Click here to read more.